Santa Clara County

WHEREAS, one and one-half million men, women, and children of Armenian descent were victims of the brutal genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian genocide and massacres of the Armenian people have been recognized as an attempt to eliminate all traces of a thriving and noble civilization over 3,000 years old; and

WHEREAS, to this day revisionists still inexplicably deny the existence of these horrific events; and

WHEREAS, by consistently remembering and openly condemning the atrocities committed against the Armenians, Santa Clara County residents demonstrate their sensitivity to the need for constant vigilance to prevent similar atrocities in the future; and

WHEREAS, recognition of the eighty-fourth anniversary of this genocide is crucial to preventing the repetition of future genocide and educating people about the atrocities connected to these tragic events; and

WHEREAS, Armenia is now a free and independent republic, having embraced democracy following the dissolution of the Soviet Union; and

WHEREAS, Armenian-Americans continue to make vital contributions to our country, state, and county;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT REOSLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Clara does hereby proclaim April 24, 1999, as

SANTA CLARA COUNTY DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF 1915-1923

PASSED AND ADOPTED, this 6th Day of April, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-nine by unanimous vote.